Not as well written as some of his other books - Rated 
I quite liked the theme of the book - the death and emotions of those left behind I didn't mind reading about and were quite informative. The only problem I had with this book was that as it was obviously written by a middle aged man and many of the teenage daughter's thoughts, feelings and actions were idealistic - rather what a dad would hope how a girl would/should behave and feel in a relationship with a boyfriend that how most of us actually do/did! As a result I found myself being disappointed even though I'd struggled to put it down at points.
Only Dad - Rated 
I bought this book as I had read other Alan Titchmarsh books,and enjoyed them all.This I think is my favourite so far,I loved it.Initially I intended to take it on holiday but couldnt resist the temptation to read it.It was very sad in places and humourous in others,but just shows what life can throw at you.Only Dad was a wonderful journey of the relationship between father and daughter,all interwoven with a young woman growing up,and both of them learning to deal with all sorts of emotions.I just couldnt put it down,and read it in just 2 days. As with all this authors books I didnt want it to end.
Excellent, but be prepared - Rated 
I whizzed through this and soon found myself caring about the characters. But it wasn't what I expected. From the jacket blurb, I expected something light with the major event being the discovery of a previously-unknown love child or something. In fact it is a sudden death and this came as a shock, having decided late one night to read "just one more chapter". Having experienced the sudden loss of a loved one, a hint that there was such a death in the book would've been helpful.
However, I couldn't put the book down. I disagree with the "Banal and slow" assessment - from experience, the emotions of the bereaved characters and the changes to their relationships are accurately described, and inevitably the effects of the bereavement form the main thrust of the story. Some parts were more predictable and stereotypical in comparison, but I did not feel this was a signficant issue.
If you have had a bereavement or other recent emotional upset, don't be put off - it is good read as long as you are prepared for it. If you haven't had a bereavement, it may help you understand those who have and to think about those close to you in a different way.
Slightly sad in tone, not as cheery as previous efforts - Rated
As an Alan Titchmarsh fan, I have read and thoroughly enjoyed all his books. This one, however, I found a bit disappointing, mainly because it left me feeling a little sad with all this talk of illness and death. I much prefer a slightly lighter note, with his usual hunour and cheekiness. However, all in all, not a bad read - as long as you are aware of the tone of the book.
Banal and slow. - Rated 
I found that this was like reading something written by a teenage bookworm who recycled all the usual stereotypical phrases to describe..middle age, comfortable marriages, Italian sunsets, supressed yearnings etc. There is very little in the way of finely observed realities of daily life. There is one notable exception, the description of a daughter's three note rendering of D-aa-ad when she's after something.
The book gets off to a very slow start, which thankfully does pick up, if only temporarily, after a couple of chapters. It is contrived and completely forseeable...perhaps it would earn a good B+ for a year10 teenager.
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